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Wilson resigns, 4th Ward vacant

By SARAH SCULL
CNA staff reporter sscull@crestonnews.com

Oct. 19, 2018

CNA photo by SARAH SCULL

Caption

South Park Street is now open to public use. During Creston City Council's regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Austin Smith, engineer, updated the council on Creston street reconstruction projects on West Howard, Chestnut, East Howard and South Park streets.

Following the close of Creston City Council’s meeting Tuesday, Marsha Wilson, who represents Ward 4, resigned.

“It is with a sad and heavy heart, and after years of serving the city of Creston, I am resigning my position as 4th Ward council person,” she said in a letter.

Wilson, in tears, asked Gabe Carroll, Ward 3 representative, to read her letter to the council.

“Change has never been one of my favorite things in life,” the letter started.

In the letter, Wilson addressed the mayor, fellow council members, her constituents in Ward 4 and city employees, many of whom she thanked for their support and contributions to the city.

Wilson said, as a state employee, she often visited a friend who worked at Muffler Plus during her breaks. It was this friend, Steve Wintermute, who convinced her to run for council.

Wilson thanked law enforcement and said that public safety has always been one of her main concerns.

“I thank the chief and their staff for their loyalty and dedication in serving the city and the county,” she said in her letter.

Wilson praised City Administrator Mike Taylor for his dedication to his work, particularly as the pair worked together on the finance committee.

“No one really knows how many years we have fought with the budget ... somehow Mike and staff have saved us. ... It is not an easy task. No one realizes the long hours that Mike has spent in the office, at home and sleepless nights basically stressed. The city is lucky to have a man like Mike Taylor,” Wilson said.

Wilson, who served under four mayors, then thanked city employees.

“You usually hear all the complaints about how you are not doing things right, but I thank you for doing all you can possible,” she said.

Wilson and her husband Jim will be relocating to Alabama where she said they will stay for the rest of their living years.

Creston street reconstruction project

Following an update on city road work by Austin Smith, engineer, the council approved the following resolution to approve pay applications for work completed on Creston street reconstruction projects:

• West Howard Street ($48,087.42 to Bluffs Paving and Utility Company). Smith said the project is currently behind schedule as they wait on Windstream to move utility poles, which still host live communication lines. Smith said Mediacom and Alliant had both completed their portion of the work in advance as to not delay the project, but he has been trying to reach Windstream since April. Smith and Taylor met in a conference with Windstream, which is expected to be on site this week. Wintermute suggested sending Windstream a letter and a bill from the city attorney. Councilman Terry Freeman asked if the franchise agreement allowed the city to recoup funds relating to the stalled project, which Smith is investigating.

• Chestnut Street ($17,149.40 to Crain Construction). Smith said Chestnut has been open for a couple of weeks, but is not completely done. Road crews have attempted to seal the road joints, however, weather has not cooperated. Smith expects the project to be completed this week.

• Park Street ($79,971.75 to Feldhacker Contracting). Smith said Park Street is open and close to completion. Currently, they are pouring sidewalks and residential steps.

• East Howard Street ($111,258.30 to Feldhacker Contracting). Smith said a new storm sewer has been installed and a ditch that previously existed on the south side of East Howard Street will no longer be there.

120 Maple Street

In response to a nuisance property, 120 N. Maple St., the council passed a resolution to approve an agreement with Tometich Engineering, Inc., to quote structural engineering services for the demolition specification for the demolition of a building, 120 N. Maple St.

“The fact that we’re trying to do this in no way establishes any kind of ownership or responsibility,” said Steve Wintermute, at-large representative.

Wintermute suggested placing orange fencing around the property to deter people from walking near it.

City Administrator Mike Taylor said the purpose of the quote is to gather numbers so that the city has a better idea of the cost of the project.

“We have not taken ownership,” said Taylor.

According to the deed, the property, 120 N. Maple St., is still registered to David Simcoke of Creston and Linda Knowles O’Boyle (deceased).

Open forum

Larry Moreland, 904 N. Poplar St., said he doesn’t feel the city is protecting the property rights of residents by allowing large structures, such as barns and metal buildings to be built in residential areas. Mayor Gary Lybarger assured Moreland that the buildings mentioned are legal according to city codes and ordinances.

Wayne Pantini, UCDA executive director, announced October is “Salute to Industry Month.” Pantini discussed survey results from industry leaders, which he said help drive the UCDA’s strategic plan. Pantini plugged the “Made in UC” event, which highlights manufacturers in Union County that manufacture and export products around the world, and promote the careers and job opportunities within the community.